Removable decorative straps for shoes

ABSTRACT

The shoe assembly of the present disclosure includes a shoe having an upper with one or more fasteners thereon. The upper may be one or more straps. The assembly further comprises a second strap that is removably connected to the upper of the shoe. The second strap may have one or more patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or other decorative elements thereon. This allows for the customization of the shoe by the user. The second strap may also be a two-piece component, where one piece is a decorative strap, and the other is a base strap that is connected to the upper of the shoe. The second strap may have any desired shape, such as t-shaped, or triangular.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/142,440, filed on Apr. 2, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to removable attachments for shoes. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to removable attachments for shoes that come in a variety of designs and ornamentations, and provide flexibility in design for the shoe wearer.

2. Description of the Related Art

It can be expensive to own several pairs of shoes merely to provide different styles and decorative options. The present disclosure addresses this problem with current shoe designs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides removable attachments for shoes, so a user can have several different design options for the same pair of shoes. As discussed in greater detail below, the attachments of the present disclosure are easily changed out and customizable.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a shoe assembly, comprising a sole, an upper connected to the sole, the upper comprising one or more upper straps, one or more upper fasteners on the one or more upper straps, and a decorative strap connected to the one or more upper straps. The decorative strap can have one or more decorative fasteners thereon, for mating with the one or more upper fasteners.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a shoe assembly, comprising a sole, an upper connected to the sole, the upper comprising one or more upper straps, one or more upper fasteners on the one or more upper straps, a decorative strap connected to the one or more upper straps, wherein the decorative strap is made from a material comprising wood, cork, leather, fabric, plastic, silicone, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, clear polymers, other synthetic materials, and any combinations thereof, and one or more decorative fasteners on the decorative strap, for mating with the one or more upper fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first exploded view of the shoe and removable t-strap of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1, with the removable t-strap attached to the shoe;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the shoe, removable t-strap, and decorative strap of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a decorative clip of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4a shows an exploded view of the shoe, removable t-strap, and decorative clip of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shoe according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5a shows the decorative cover of the shoe of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of the shoe of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an assembled, perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 6, with a decorative strap attached;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 6, with a decorative cover attached;

FIG. 10 a shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the shoe of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10a shows the ankle strap of the shoe of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to the Figures, and in particular FIGS. 1-3, shoe 10 of the present disclosure is shown. Shoe 10 has sole 12 and upper 14. Upper 14 can have one or more straps 16. As shown, a t-strap 20 can be connected to one or more of upper straps 16. Any of straps 16 can have one or more fasteners 18 thereon, which can mate with corresponding fasteners 22 on t-strap 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the user can fasten t-strap 20 to upper 14 by connecting t-strap fasteners 22 to upper fasteners 18. Thus, the present disclosure provides an easy way for a user to customize shoe 10. The user can have a number of different types of decorative straps 30. The user can swap out different straps 20 as needed or desired very easily and quickly. T-strap 20 can have a pocket 28 to hold one or more shoe accessories, as discussed in greater detail below.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, decorative strap 30 can be placed over or attached to t-strap 20. Decorative strap 30 can be removably or permanently connected to t-strap 20. In one embodiment, decorative strap is sewn to t-strap 20, a permanent attachment. The present disclosure contemplates other ways to connect decorative strap 30 to t-strap 20, such as with adhesive, or also with fasteners (e.g., snaps, Velcro®, rivets). In addition, in the shown embodiment, decorative strap 30 has a plurality of pearls or beads 35. The present disclosure contemplates that either t-strap 20 or decorative strap 30 can have any number of patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or other decorative elements thereon.

In the shown embodiment, t-strap 20 and decorative strap 30 each have a “T” shape. The fasteners 18 and 22 are also arranged in a corresponding “T” shape, with four fasteners on each of t-strap 20 and decorative strap 30. This arrangement is particularly suitable for many current shoes with strap-type uppers, such as upper 14. However, the present disclosure contemplates any number of shapes for straps 20 and 30, and any number (e.g., one or more) of fasteners 18 and 22. The shape and size of straps 20 and 30 and number of fasteners 18 and 22 will depend on the type of shoe. Also in the shown embodiment, fasteners 18 and 22 are metal snaps, which can be easy to assemble and use. The present disclosure contemplates other types of fasteners, such as a hook and loop (e.g., Velcro®), adhesive, rivets, or other suitable ways to connect decorative strap 30 to t-strap 20. Each of straps 20 and 30 as shown are leather, but they can also be made of metal, wood, cork, leather, fabric, plastic, silicone, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, clear polymers, or other synthetic materials. They may also be made of hybrid materials, such as a leather base with a plastic or wood veneer.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4 a, an embodiment of shoe 10 with the aforementioned pocket 28 is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, a decorative clip 40 can be inserted into pocket 28. In this embodiment, there may only be three fasteners on t-strap 20, to allow for the attachment of clip 40. There would be no fastener 22 on the underside of t-strap 20 where clip 40 is attached. Clip 40 has front face 42 and a rear half that slides into pocket 28. Front face 42 can have a variety of decorative elements thereon, such as patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or others. Clip 40 can be made from any number of suitable materials, such as leather, metal, wood, cork, leather, fabric, plastic, silicone, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, clear polymers, other synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. As with strap 20, they can also have veneers of differing materials. This provides yet another way in which shoe 10 provides easy customization for a user.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5 a, a second type of decorative strap or cover 130 is shown. Decorative cover 130 functions in a similar way to decorative strap 30, in that it has one or more fasteners 132 on an underside (and thus hidden from the wearer when in use) that connect to fasteners 18 on strap 16 of upper 14. In the shown embodiment, there are four fasteners 132 on strap 130. As shown, decorative cover 130 has a triangular shape, that covers more area of the user's foot that the t-shape over strap 30. Similarly to t-strap 20 and decorative strap 30, cover 130 can be adorned with any desired colors, patterns, fabrics, embossments, stones, etc., and can be made of the same materials described above. Cover 130 can also have any desired shape, such as round, square, oval, elliptical, or others.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a view of another type of shoe 110 of the present disclosure is shown. As with shoe 10, shoe 110 can have sole 12, upper 14, one or more straps 16, and t-strap 20. T-strap 20 is removably connected to upper 14 via one or more fasteners 18 and 22. The primary difference between shoe 10 and shoe 110 is that the latter has a block heel 112 connected to a bottom of sole 12. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, shoe 110 may also use decorative strap 30 or decorative cover 130, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 10 a, a removable ankle strap 214 of the present disclosure is shown. Ankle strap 214 can be permanently or removably connected to upper 14 at any location. The removable connection can be with a snap 215, as shown, or with other suitable fasteners. Ankle strap 214 can also have a buckle 216 for closing in a loop around the user's ankle. Ankle strap 214 can be used with either of shoes 10 or 110

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure. 

1. A shoe assembly, comprising: a sole; an upper connected to the sole, the upper comprising one or more upper straps; one or more upper fasteners on the one or more upper straps; and a decorative strap connected to the one or more upper straps.
 2. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap has one or more decorative fasteners thereon, for mating with the one or more upper fasteners.
 3. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap has one or more patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or other decorative elements thereon.
 4. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap is made from a material comprising wood, cork, leather, fabric, plastic, silicone, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, clear polymers, other synthetic materials, and any combinations thereof.
 5. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap is made of leather.
 6. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap is in a t-shape.
 7. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap has a triangular shape.
 8. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap is a leather strap and a decorative cover sewn together.
 9. The shoe assembly of claim 2, wherein the upper strap has four of the upper fasteners thereon, and the decorative strap has four of the decorative fasteners.
 10. The shoe assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative strap has a pocket thereon.
 11. The shoe assembly of claim 10, further comprising a clip connected to the decorative strap via the pocket.
 12. The shoe assembly of claim 11, wherein the clip has one or more patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or other decorative elements thereon.
 13. A shoe assembly, comprising: a sole; an upper connected to the sole, the upper comprising one or more upper straps; one or more upper fasteners on the one or more upper straps; and a decorative strap connected to the one or more upper straps, wherein the decorative strap is made from a material comprising wood, cork, leather, fabric, plastic, silicone, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, clear polymers, other synthetic materials, and any combinations thereof; and one or more decorative fasteners on the decorative strap, for mating with the one or more upper fasteners.
 14. The shoe assembly of claim 13, wherein the decorative strap has one or more patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or other decorative elements thereon.
 15. The shoe assembly of claim 13, wherein the decorative strap is made of leather.
 16. The shoe assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper strap has four of the upper fasteners thereon, and the decorative strap has four of the decorative fasteners.
 17. The shoe assembly of claim 13, wherein the decorative strap has a pocket thereon.
 18. The shoe assembly of claim 17, further comprising a clip connected to the decorative strap via the pocket.
 19. The shoe assembly of claim 18, wherein the clip has one or more patterns, colors, embossments, jewels, stones, beads, or other decorative elements thereon. 